Auto-Restart Loop

[Mad_Monarch]

My thoughts are Virus.

Computer running windows xp professional sp1 (never updated)
Computer started one morning, restarting right when the windows loading logo comes up and continues to restart regardless of which mode I put it into.

Tried reformatting and resintalling windows, tells me windows failed to install, possible HDD issue.

Laptop 2 weeks later, same problem, except now I don't even see anything loading on the screen, same problem though, loads to about where the windows loading logo comes up and restarted.
Laptop is running windows xp mce.

I had 3 computers in my house, and all 3 have died in a period of 3 weeks, what the *censored* did I download?.

[lordoftheplat]

i used to have the same problem
i think it is because ur cpu usage goes to maximum when it start windows
or it could be a virus
what anti-virus programs are you using
and its status

[patio]

Have you added any new hardware recently ? ?

Is this a shiny CD that says Microsoft all over it ? ?

[Mad_Monarch]

Have you added any new hardware recently ? ?

Is this a shiny CD that says Microsoft all over it ? ?

hahaha =). No, unfortunately there were no little aliens to deliver vista to my door, I refused.

Norton 2007 installed and fully updated on Desktop.

Norton 2007 Trial, expired on Laptop. (Laziness)

Desktop: I swapped a Vid Card, RAM and a problematic HDD into an older model computer running an Athlon 64 Mobo. Set the HDD as a slave, but primary drive failed to startup windows, which is when I attempted to reinstall.

Laptop: No new hardware upgrades.

Rundown:

1) First desktop started looping restart at windows logo, still needed information off HDD

2) Swapped RAM, Vid Card, and HDD from First Desktop into Second Desktop.

3) Second Desktop encountered an HDD Failure

4) Attempted to reinstall windows on Second Computer, encountered an error stating windows could not install because of a HDD Fault.

5) Unrelated laptop to former situation encountered same First desktop had, looping restart at windows logo.

[patio]

You need to DLoad and run the HDD manuf. diagnostics on that HDD...unfortunately it sounds like it is getting ready to go South.

[Mad_Monarch]

Both though, my Laptop and Desktop?, I could understand the desktop. But why is my laptop having the same original problems, I would have chalked it up to a bad drive myself, except for the fact that my laptop went haywire. Unless it's just a really bad coincidence =(.

[patio]

Well if you used the same CD to install on both of those machines then that is the common denominator...

[ale52]

There are times when more than one thing goes wrong with more than one computer.  Seen it too many times.  Coincidence?  Probably.  Maddening? You bet!

Alan <><  

[Mad_Monarch]

There are times when more than one thing goes wrong with more than one computer.  Seen it too many times.  Coincidence?  Probably.  Maddening? You bet!

Alan <><  

Oh God....

No wait, God can't save me here  :-/

Sadly, the same CD wasn't used =(, Windows MCE came preinstalled with the laptop, and Windows XP Pro is my own.

I'll try that HDD Diagnostics, should be interesting to see how I can burn it to a cd to run on the problem computers =(.

Ok, with the Laptop then, continuing, What could be the problem there and how can I fix it?, Nothing actually appears on the screen, even if I hold F5 or hit DEL/F12 for the startup menu.....just goes for about 30 seconds then restarts. Guess it's a complete different problem from the desktop.

[patio]

Does the laptop do this if you remove the battery and just run it on DC ? ?

[Mad_Monarch]

I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner Patio, thank you. I removed the battery, Disconnected the DC and it is running fine off of Battery power, I'll attempt DC power, but any suggestions as to why it was doing that?, or was there just some hiccup that it couldn't overcome?

[patio]

Gremlins...